What we’re about to tell you might come as a real surprise for Boston Celtics fans, so brace yourselves: Danny Ainge reportedly is trying to make a big trade.
Crazy, right?!
We’re joking, of course. Ainge didn’t earn the nickname “Trader Danny” for nothing, and he’s reportedly been calling on every major superstar he can think of since he took over as general manager and president of basketball operations of the Celtics.
So, truthfully, this latest piece of news from The Boston Herald’s Steve Bulpett should come as no surprise:
“From all indications speaking to team sources around the league, Danny Ainge is still after the major trades the C’s president of basketball operations knows are needed. And no doubt he’s loving each story calling the 2017 draft one of the deepest and most talent-laden in many years, understanding that such talk could raise the value of the Nets’ pick that can be theirs.
But while you know changes have to be coming, it might be helpful to begin preparing yourself to part with one or more players to whom you’re growing attached these days.
The roster as currently constituted doesn’t blend as well as the Celts would probably like, but that’s mainly a product of generally drafting the best player available without regard to role. The C’s have been in no position to do otherwise as they rebuild and gather assets they can either keep or develop for value in the marketplace.”
What’s arguably most interesting about this is the notion that the C’s apparently don’t like how the team is blending. If anything, it feels as though this group probably has overachieved, thanks largely in part to that blend.
But alas, they’ve underperformed through the first fifth of the season, and while injuries certainly can be blamed for a lot of that, management probably knows that this team’s ceiling is likely the Eastern Conference Finals barring some unforeseen luck or breakout.
Time is ticking on Boston’s ability to cash in on those terrific assets everyone talks so much about: There only are two Brooklyn Nets picks left, and those cheap, affordable contracts are getting closer to expiring by the day.
Brace yourselves for change, Celtics fans, because the real surprise likely will be what doesn’t happen instead of what does.
Thumbnail photo via Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports Images
